Bill C-231 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (consecutive sentences)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 40th Parliament, 1st Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill C-231 would change sentencing rules for sexual assault and murder convictions to generally require consecutive sentences but with judicial discretion and specific parole eligibility requirements depending on the crime type.
Bill C-231 proposes to change how courts handle sentences when a person is convicted of multiple sex crimes or murders. For sexual assault cases: When a judge sentences someone for sexual assault under section 271 of the Criminal Code, that sentence would normally be served one after another (consecutively) with any other sexual assault sentences the person is already serving. However, the judge can choose to let the sentences run at the same time (concurrently) if they think doing so fits the general principles of sentencing. If the judge makes this choice, they must give written and spoken reasons. For murder cases: When someone is sentenced for first or second degree murder and is already serving time for another crime (not murder), they cannot get parole until they have served both: (1) the required time for the murder, and (2) either one third of the other sentence or seven years, whichever is less. When someone is sentenced for first or second degree murder and is already serving time for another murder, the judge can order them to serve additional parole ineligibility time (up to 25 more years) after finishing the first murder's required time. However, the total parole ineligibility time can never exceed 50 years. If the judge chooses not to add this extra time, they must explain why in writing and in court.
- Amends section 271 of the Criminal Code to require that sentences for sexual assault be served consecutively to other sexual assault sentences (sections 271, 272, or 273 offences) unless the judge finds consecutive sentencing inconsistent with sentencing principles and orders concurrent sentencing instead
- Requires judges deciding on concurrent sexual assault sentences to consider six specific factors: nature of the offence, circumstances, degree of physical or emotional harm to the victim, whether the offender abused a position of trust or power, the offender's criminal record, and the offender's attitude toward the offence
- Requires judges who order concurrent sexual assault sentences to provide both written and oral reasons for their decision
- Amends section 120 of the Corrections and Conditional Release Act to specify parole ineligibility periods for offenders convicted of murder who are serving other sentences: they must serve the murder-specific parole ineligibility period plus the lesser of one-third of any other sentence or seven years
- Gives judges discretion to order additional parole ineligibility periods (up to 25 years) for offenders sentenced for murder who are already serving time for another murder conviction, after they complete the first murder's parole ineligibility period
- Caps total parole ineligibility at 50 years maximum for offenders with multiple murder convictions
- Requires judges to consider whether additional parole ineligibility adequately denounces the murder and acknowledges harm to the victim
- Requires judges who decline to impose additional parole ineligibility for multiple murders to provide written and oral reasons for that decision
- Judges sentencing offenders for sexual assault crimes
- Offenders convicted of sexual assault under Criminal Code sections 271, 272, or 273
- Judges sentencing offenders for first or second degree murder
- Offenders convicted of first or second degree murder who are serving or have served other sentences
- Victims of sexual assault and murder, as their sentencing considerations are explicitly referenced
- Parole boards and correctional authorities administering sentences
- Judges must order consecutive sexual assault sentences as the default rule
- Judges have the right to order concurrent sexual assault sentences if they find consecutive sentencing inconsistent with sentencing principles, but must provide written and oral reasons
- Judges must consider six specified factors when deciding whether to make sentences concurrent for sexual assault
- Judges sentencing for murder have the discretion (but not the obligation) to order additional parole ineligibility periods for offenders with multiple murder convictions
- Judges must provide written and oral reasons if they decline to impose additional parole ineligibility for multiple murder convictions
- Offenders convicted of murder while serving other sentences cannot be released on parole until specified minimum periods are served
- Bill had its first reading on November 26, 2008
- The bill text does not specify any financial or tax impacts
- The bill does not explicitly create new criminal penalties; it modifies how existing sentences are administered
- The bill text does not specify when these amendments would come into force or the date of commencement
- The bill does not clarify whether the new rules apply only to sentences imposed after the bill comes into force or also to existing sentences
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'inconsistent with the principles of sentencing' under sections 718 to 718.2, leaving interpretation to judges
- The bill does not explain how judges should weigh the six factors listed for sexual assault sentencing against each other
- The bill does not specify procedural details for how judges should provide written reasons or timelines for doing so
- The bill does not address whether the new parole ineligibility rules apply to offenders already imprisoned at the time of enactment
- The bill is currently 'Outside the Order of Precedence,' meaning it has not advanced in the legislative process and its status is uncertain
Sentences for sexual assault would normally be served consecutively to other sexual assault sentences, unless a judge decides concurrent sentencing is more appropriate and provides reasons.
Parole eligibility for offenders convicted of murder while serving other sentences would require serving the murder's required parole ineligibility period plus an additional portion of other sentences (lesser of one-third or seven years). For offenders with multiple murders, judges can order additional parole ineligibility periods up to 25 years, with a 50-year total cap.
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
We don't have a plain-language summary for First reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
Bill C-231, concerning consecutive sentences, completed its first reading in the House of Commons on November 26, 2008.
On November 26, 2008, Bill C-231 was introduced in the House of Commons for its first reading. This is the initial stage where a bill is formally presented. The bill aims to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act regarding consecutive sentences. The artifact also notes that a similar bill, C-433, was introduced in a previous Parliament.
This House of Commons sitting record from November 26, 2008, documents the introduction and first reading of Bill C-231, concerning consecutive sentences, alongside other routine proceedings and debates on unrelated matters.
This artifact is a record of the House of Commons sitting on November 26, 2008, specifically covering the introduction and first reading debate for Bill C-231, "An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Corrections and Conditional Release Act (consecutive sentences)". The record includes various statements by members, oral questions concerning the economy, environment, and other issues, and routine proceedings. During routine proceedings, three bills were introduced and read for the first time: two related to amending the Criminal Code regarding cruelty to animals, and Bill C-231. The artifact does not contain details of any debate or discussion specifically about Bill C-231 itself, only its introduction.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Second reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Consideration in committee yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Report stage yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
We don't have a plain-language summary for Third reading yet. The official source linked below is the full record.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced